June 24, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COVID-19 Burke County Media Briefing
Burke County’s Response to COVID-19
• Burke County is currently at 948 positive cases
• Para español llama al 764-9150 y presiona el número dos. Si nadie contesta favor de deja un corto mensaje con su nombre y número de teléfono.
Update from Burke County Heath Department:
Because COVID-19 was designated as a communicable disease, certain requirements have to occur including contact tracing. All of this information about the person who tested positive and those that have been in close contact with the positive individual is kept strictly confidential because of two laws, HIPPA and the NC Communicable Disease Law.
When someone tests positive for COVID-19, the person is contacted by the testing facility and told of their tests results. The positive individual is given instructions:
* Stay at home and do not go out in public
* Try to isolate yourself away from others within your home to the best of your ability
* Person is told that if you have symptoms and they worsen to contact their doctor. Follow your doctor’s orders.
* Person will be asked who they had been in close contact with before testing positive. If they have time they will cover this information or call back at a better time to get the close contacts.
• The list will be individuals that you were in contact with less than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes without the use of a face covering.
• These people will be family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. All this information gathered is very confidential and is never given out to anyone else.
• This list of people are contacted and instructed that they have been in contact with someone that has tested positive and testing will be arranged for them along with specific instructions about what they can and cannot do until their test results come back
• It is really important that people answer the phone when they see either one of these two phone numbers (844-628-7223 or 828-762-9169).
• It is very important for people to tell the truth and give correct names, addresses, and contact information so Public Health Officials can slow down the spread of this virus within the community.
REMINDER:
The 4th of July is coming up and people need to be aware of risks and not gather in groups on the lake, people’s houses for cookouts and parties unless you can stay away from each other, wear a face covering and wash your hands frequently. These activities could cause another spike in cases within the county.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, contact the Burke County Public Information Line at 828-764-9168, Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. After hours, weekends and holidays, please leave a message and your call will be answered as soon as staff returns. Or you can also visit the Burke County COVID-19 webpage atwww.burkenc.org/COVID-19.
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